A free open access ebook is available upon publication. Learn more at www.luminosoa.org. Until the Storm Passes reveals how Brazil's 1964–1985 military dictatorship contributed to its own demise by alienating the civilian political elites who initially helped bring it to power. Based on exhaustive research conducted in nearly twenty archives in five countries, as well as on oral histories with surviving politicians from the period, this book tells the surprising story of how the alternatingly self-interested and heroic resistance of the political class contributed decisively to Brazil's democratization. As they gradually turned against military rule, politicians began to embrace a political role for the masses that most of them would never have accepted in 1964, thus setting the stage for the breathtaking expansion of democracy that Brazil enjoyed over the next three decades.
"Mommy! Wake up!" a little girl screams. But the woman on the beach lies cold and wet and still. Evie Parker is plagued by a recurring nightmare from her childhood who is the woman in her dream? What does it mean? A deathbed confession compels Evie to leave her home in Rhode Island and travel to the Territory of Alaska, where she struggles to unravel a past shrouded in mystery. Can she come through storms, both physical and emotional, to open her heart to true love? Author AnnaLee Conti's gripping story explores the power of secrets, love, and forgiveness.
*One of Bloomberg's Best Books of the Year* The master geopolitical forecaster and New York Times bestselling author of The Next 100 Years focuses on the United States, predicting how the 2020s will bring dramatic upheaval and reshaping of American government, foreign policy, economics, and culture. In his riveting new book, noted forecaster and bestselling author George Friedman turns to the future of the United States. Examining the clear cycles through which the United States has developed, upheaved, matured, and solidified, Friedman breaks down the coming years and decades in thrilling detail. American history must be viewed in cycles—particularly, an eighty-year "institutional cycle" that has defined us (there are three such examples—the Revolutionary War/founding, the Civil War, and World War II), and a fifty-year "socio-economic cycle" that has seen the formation of the industrial classes, baby boomers, and the middle classes. These two major cycles are both converging on the late 2020s—a time in which many of these foundations will change. The United States will have to endure upheaval and possible conflict, but also, ultimately, increased strength, stability, and power in the world. Friedman's analysis is detailed and fascinating, and covers issues such as the size and scope of the federal government, the future of marriage and the social contract, shifts in corporate structures, and new cultural trends that will react to longer life expectancies. This new book is both provocative and entertaining.
The second book in the critically acclaimed Obsidian and Blood trilogy: The year is Two House, and the Emperor of the Mexica has just died. The protections he afforded the Empire are crumbling, and the way lies wide open to the flesh-eating star-demons--and to the return of their creator, a malevolent goddess only held in check by the War God's power. The council should convene to choose a new Emperor, but they are too busy plotting against each other. And then someone starts summoning star-demons within the palace, to kill councilmen... Acatl, High Priest of the Dead, must find the culprit before everything is torn apart. REVIEWS: ‘Political intrigue and rivalry among a complex pantheon of divinities drive this well-paced murder mystery set at the height of the Aztec Empire in the late 15th century. De Bodard reintroduces the series hero Acatl, high priest of the dead, immediately following the death of the Tenochtitlan leader. One of the council members in charge of choosing a successor has been brutally murdered in what looks like an attempt to influence the decision. But the deaths continue and the political situation grows more complex, while the empire looks to be increasingly at risk of invasion by malignant powers. Acatl must go face-to-face with the most powerful god in his world and put the good of the empire above his antipathy for is rivals to achieve the uneasy succession. De Bodard incorporates historical fact with great ease and manages the rare feat of explaining complex culture and political system without lecturing or boring the reader.’ —Publishers Weekly ‘Another thing that intrigues me here is the whole fact that historically we know that the real empire died out mysteriously and completely and as such there is always that thought in the back of my mind that the author could choose to bring about the end of days. That highlighted sense of possible doom is something that is missing from too many novels. The way the story is told in this book is very impressive, the plot is both mature and seductive, twisting and turning like a weather vane in a force 9 gale while the action is both bloodthirsty and imaginative. The world building is fantastic and we get to learn even more of this rich culture and the many gods and creatures of the dark. I really can’t fault this book at all and recommend it to one and all but if you haven’t yet read Servant of the Underworld I suggest that you get them both and read them in order, you won’t be disappointed.’ —SF Book Reviews ‘Bodard’s writing is polished and striking, as she convincingly fills in the colorful elements of the Aztec culture–even if those colors tend to be of blood and bile as well as flowers and hummingbirds... beautiful, grimy, breathtaking, and morbid. 5*’ —Examiner ‘Aliette de Bodard has done it again. Harbinger of the Storm is an action packed Aztec mystery opera with magic, interventions from the gods and more twists and turns than the first book. It even has a love story with amusing snippets here and there... The story is self contained and can be enjoyed standalone, but you will not want to miss out on the first. I wish it was 2012 already even if the world is going under while I read the final Obsidian & Blood.’ —Cybermage
Who is behind the abduction of humans? Can they be stopped before Earth is turned into a slave colony? Find out in the exciting conclusion to the Forbidden Bonds alien romance series. Forbidden Bonds Collection Two contains Alien Disgraced (Book 4) and Alien in Disguise (Book 5). Alien Disgraced (Forbidden Bonds 4) Is her alien Prince Charming a coldhearted killer? When Kat Whalen meets Prince Lomax of Araset, a tall, handsome alien, he instantly charms her with his good humor, wit, and kindness. Although their romance is brief, she knows she’ll never forget the gentle alien man. The last thing Prince Lomax remembers is reluctantly bidding goodbye to the lovely human woman, Kat Whalen, before shuttling off to a League of Planets summit meeting. Then he’s in a detention facility, arrested on charges of conspiracy and insurrection. The theory is that he was brainwashed into joining the Galactic Justice Warriors, a group of violent anarchists plotting to overthrow the League of Planets. In disgrace and despair, he’s sent home to Araset to await deprogramming and adjudication of the charges. His only support comes from Kat, who refuses to leave his side. Although the prince seems normal, it is only a matter of time before something triggers him, and he snaps. Can he be deprogrammed before he involuntarily hurts the woman he loves? Or will their bond be the one thing that saves her? Alien In Disguise (Forbidden Bonds 5) Hell hath no fury like a woman abducted by aliens…twice. After getting abducted by aliens and then rescued, Jessie Sayles is determined to sound the alarm that humans have been targeted by a galactic slave cartel. But upon returning home, she gets kidnapped again by a horned, amber-eyed alien who claims he’s with the galactic government. Maxx, an agent with the League of Planets, has three years invested in a mission to crush the slave cartel. Then Jessie barrels into the middle of his operation, nearly ruining everything. To save the mission, he takes her into protective custody. With Jessie in lockdown, the sparks that fly ignite a heated desire, followed by a grudging, mutual respect as they realize they’re on the same side. However, just as Maxx is about to capture the cartel mastermind, unresolved trust issues arise, and they soon discover the stakes are greater than either of them imagined.
When twin detectives Rita and Rhonda Knight trade the secrets of Clovedale Falls for a remote Alaskan retreat, they never expected icy shadows to conceal heartwarming mysteries. Trapped by snow and surrounded by intrigue, the sisters' dream wedding hangs in the balance. Can they decode the chilling clues with only their woman-led detective instincts and Billy's quirky wisdom? Danger meets gentle intrigue in a landscape where hope and warmth defy the harshest cold. As the Knight duo faces enigmatic strangers and unsettling discoveries, they're reminded that even in the most secluded corners, small town secrets have a way of following you. Dive into this clean, cozy mystery and join the Knight sisters on their most gripping adventure yet. Perfect for fans of female sleuths and wholesome tales, "Dropping Like Pies" promises a thrilling whodunit you won't want to put down.
The Greatest Western Writer Of The 21st Century In his bestselling Last Gunfighter novels, William Johnstone chronicles a clash of adventurers, outlaws, lawmen and innocents. Among them all, one man with a gun stamped the frontier with a legend all his own. Journey Across A Killing Ground. . . Frank Morgan survived his first trip to Alaska. Barely. Now, in Western Canada, Morgan and a band of survivors encounter an arch enemy with a fortune in ill-gotten gains--money he'll use to supply murderous Metis rebels with stolen U.S. Army Gatling guns to use for a bloodbath--and the Last Gunfighter is now in their way. But before the rebels can kill him, a daring U.S. secret agent joins his side. In a harsh and untamed land, Frank Morgan will soon face the ultimate battle for survival--before an all-out civil war explodes.
In her dynamic new devotional, TRUSTING GOD DAY BY DAY, international speaker and New York Times bestselling author Joyce Meyer provides you with powerful "starting points" for every day of the year. Each day's devotion is filled with practical advice and help from Joyce along with life-changing promises from God's Word that you can quickly and easily apply in your own life. The world wants you to place your trust in your circumstances, your success, your talents and the opinions of others. But God's called you to rise above the world, and put your full trust in Him - to believe and apply what He's promised in His Word more than anything else. Living this way won't just happen - you have to be intentional. But where do you begin? We all need help to make good choices, battle worry, overcome anxiety and keep a positive attitude. Using this devotional, readers will learn to grab hold of life this way, day by day, with trust in God.
Be prepared to survive weather disasters no matter where you live with this complete guide. Year after year, dangerous weather become more intense—and more common. We all need to be ready for a potentially deadly storm to strike at any time. The Ultimate Storm Survival Handbook gives you all the information you need to prepare for hurricanes, tornados, blizzards, floods, hailstorms, and more. Along with clear instructions on preparing before a storm, the book also contains survival kit guidelines, helpful Websites, and quick-reference emergency checklists for each type of weather event. Get step-by-step instructions on: creating a plan for family survival securing your home and taking inventory caring for your pets familiarizing yourself with your area's storms and storm safety knowing what the warnings mean planning for the infirm and elderly
